News
400,000 policemen not enough to secure Nigeria’s – Kalu
…… Says State Police necessary for effective policing
By Chukwuka Kanu, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has said that the number of policemen which is placed at about 400,000 is not sufficient to provide security to over 200 million Nigerians.
Speaking during a courtesy call on him by the association of Clerks of State Houses of Assembly on Thursday, Abbas who was represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, said that it became necessary to establish state police.
He said state policing will increase internal security because the operators are already familiar with the terrain they are to police.
Abbas said that the establishment of State Police is akin to the amendments made to issues of railway, power amongst others by the 9th National Assembly to enable the States enjoy some constitution rights under the concurrent list to delve into those issues.
He said: “On other key nationally important matters like state police, for example, the House recognizes the diverse perspectives and needs across different states. We believe that through constructive dialogue and a willingness to find common ground, we can arrive at solutions that truly serves the best interests of all Nigerians.
“Talking about state Police, you will remember also that we did something with the Correctional Services. These are issues that ordinarily fall into the exclusive list of the Constitution of the federal of republic of Nigeria which you had no business tampering with.
But in the spirit of true federalism, the 9th and 10th Assemblies are determined to bring some of these for better governance to take it from the exclusive list to the concurrent list. We did that with the railway and power in the 9th assembly. The question is, how many of the states have drafted laws, domesticating that in their state?
“Now, the State Police is here. We want to use the legislative intervention to improve the needs in our society. One of our needs is security. And we have tried the one layer police system and they overwhelmed us. The truth remains that 400, 000 policemen, policing over 200 million people can never give you the expected security. It is not even in line with the international best practices on police per citizen policing.
“How do we make it trickle down and achieve what we are looking for. Imagine a brother of mine trained in Sokoto or Kaduna during his training as a policeman and he finished and was sent to Bayelsa, a riverine area where the culture is different, language is different, even the way of movement is different -they use mainly boats and this our brother has a phobia for water, how do you expect him to police the people who swim?
The policing will not be thorough. But take a man from that community who knows the in and out of the geography of the area, train him around that place, send him to police, you will agree with me that he will police better. The same thing if you take my brother from Bayelsa to Sokoto, he will not police better than the Sokoto man.
“Yet, the spirit of one nation, national integration, federal character is key and cannot be tampered with. That is why the federal police can have the coloration of what it is at the moment.
“And another thing is, if we don’t streamline it, you will see pockets of organizations, vigilante groups springing up everyday, getting armed everyday. If tomorrow we are not able to manage them in line with the core principle of policing, we may end up creating monsters that will add to insecurity.”
Abbas also called for collaborations among the national parliament and the State Assemblies with regards to the ongoing constitutional amendments.
He said that the synergy was necessary if lofty results were to be achieved.
“The House of Representatives recognizes the crucial role State Assemblies play in shaping the fabric of our nation. We understand that effective governance in a federal system like ours requires inter-governmental collaboration and synergy between the government at the center and the federating units.
“The Nigerian constitutional amendment process has long been a subject of national discourse, and rightfully so because the society is dynamic. It presents a unique opportunity to address critical issues, strengthen our institutions, and pave the way for a more prosperous, enviable and equitable future for all Nigerians.
“However, this process cannot succeed without a unified front. It’s been tested time and again that the federal legislature in isolation of the states legislature cannot amend the grundnom. The constitution is clear on that. Responsibility is shared.
“The House of Representatives firmly believes that collaboration between the National Assembly and State Assemblies is essential to achieve meaningful and lasting reforms. The clerks are the backbones of the State legislature.
“We are committed to working closely with you, the Clerks who serve as the backbone of your respective legislative houses, to ensure open communication, exchange of ideas, and a shared understanding of the issues at stake”, he said.
Earlier in her presentation, the chairman and leadership of the delegation, Rukaiyatu Adamu Jalo told the Speaker that their mission to the House was to seek collaboration with the House, appreciate the national assembly for the passage of the autonomy for state legislature and judiciary bill into law and to understudy the national parliament on the implementation of practice and procedures of legislative business.
Bemoaning the non implementation of the act in many states, Adamu appealed to the House leadership to interface with the Forum of State Speakers to resolve the issue.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation has confirmed that several passengers were injured following a train incident near Asham Train Station on the Abuja-Kaduna line on Monday morning.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, in a statement, said the incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. and involved a rear locomotive making contact with the passenger coach immediately behind it due to a coupling issue.
Opeifa confirmed that the injured passengers were promptly attended to and transported to nearby medical facilities for proper care. He added that no fatalities were recorded.
The NRC MD also disclosed that emergency response protocols were immediately activated, and relevant technical teams were mobilized to the site.
According to him, Safety Investigation Bureau is also on site to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, in line with established safety procedures.
The statement added that train later arrived at Idu Train Station at approximately 10:39 a.m., 38 minutes behind schedule, after time was allowed to remove the affected locomotive and coach.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation assured the public that safety remains its top priority and that all necessary measures are being taken to address the situation and ensure the continued safe operation of train services.
It stated that further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
The Nigerian rail system has experienced frequent derailments, particularly along the Abuja-Kaduna route, prompting the Senate to launch a nationwide probe into rail failures in 2025.
In November 2025, the Senate resolved to establish an ad hoc committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the persistent derailments of the country’s rail lines.
The probe, which will include a public hearing, aims to uncover the root causes of recurring derailments and assess the condition of rail infrastructure, as well as the imported materials used in the sector.
According to the resolution, the ad hoc committee, to be chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, will also investigate loans received from China.
The committee was given six weeks to complete its findings and present a detailed report to the Senate.
Additionally, lawmakers directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation to immediately address the technical faults responsible for recent derailments and ensure that the nation’s rail system is restored to full operational capacity.
Five foreign nationals from Burkina Faso have been abducted by suspected armed bandits while working at a gold mining site near Arafa village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The abduction reportedly occurred around 11:15 a.m. on March 14 when a large group of bandits, believed to have been hiding between Arafa and Gidan Dankande villages, invaded the mining site and forcefully took the workers to an unknown destination.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the heavily armed assailants fled into the surrounding bush shortly after carrying out the attack. By the time security operatives from a nearby Operation FANSAN YAMMA base arrived at the scene, the attackers had already escaped.
According to the sources, efforts are ongoing to locate the bandits and secure the safe release of the abducted foreigners, with security personnel currently combing the area for intelligence that could lead to their rescue.
The incident once again highlights the dangerous link between illegal mining activities and armed banditry in Zamfara State. Over the years, the North West’s rich deposits of minerals such as gold, copper and lithium have attracted both legitimate investors and criminal networks that exploit the resources for illicit gains.
Local sources say many bandit leaders in the region collect weekly royalties from miners, a system that has strengthened their control over several mining sites. Mining operations allegedly linked to influential or politically connected individuals are often left undisturbed, while ordinary miners face extortion, intimidation and repeated attacks.
These payments serve as more than protection fees; they provide crucial funding for criminal operations, including the purchase of weapons, logistics for kidnappings and the recruitment of more fighters.
The latest abduction of the five foreign nationals is seen as another reflection of this criminal economy.
In 2019, the federal government banned gold mining in Zamfara in an effort to curb illegal mining and rising insecurity. Two years later, authorities also introduced a no-fly zone to stop the smuggling of minerals and weapons. However, the measures failed to reduce violence, as deaths linked to insecurity in the state reportedly increased by 183 percent in the four years following the ban.
The ban also had unintended consequences. Thousands of miners who had already been displaced from their farmlands due to insecurity were forced to operate under the control of armed groups. Profits from these illegal mining activities further financed attacks, kidnappings and cross-border recruitment of bandits.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to distribute rice across Nigeria to support citizens observing Ramadan and Lenten fasts.
According to a statement from the Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, the distribution will be coordinated through the group’s grassroots network across states, local governments, and wards to ensure fair reach and transparency.
The initiative is aimed at fostering national unity and demonstrating compassion during a period of deep spiritual significance for both Muslims and Christians.
“Ramadan and Lent are seasons of sacrifice, charity, and care for one another,” the statement said. “This distribution will ensure that families across Nigeria experience the spirit of togetherness during this sacred time.”
This follows a similar rice distribution last Christmas, reflecting the administration’s commitment to supporting citizens during key religious and cultural occasions.
The program will cover both Christian and Muslim communities, emphasizing the President’s focus on inclusivity and unity across the nation.
NRC confirms many injured in Abuja-Kaduna train accident
Bandits abduct five foreign nationals in Zamfara
Tinubu distributes free rice nationwide for Ramadan and Lent
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